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r <br />Commissioner Macht wanted to know what the inventory will be, <br />and Sheriff Wheeler listed two fully operational helicopters with <br />approximately 200 hours on each, and 2 new, 500 -hour warranty <br />engines which will give us 13,000 flying hours. <br />Commissioners Ginn, Macht and Eggert expressed their support <br />for the project. <br />Joseph Giffanti, a concerned citizen, spoke out against tax <br />dollars being squandered and felt this would be an extravagant use <br />of public funds. Mr. Giffanti felt that local taxpayers are <br />saturated with useless and unwarranted police activity and asked <br />the Board not to approve the project. <br />Commissioner Eggert questioned whether the funds for salaries <br />would be coming from the Broward County prisoner program funds. <br />John Gallagher felt this would be a very valuable asset with <br />invaluable benefits to law enforcement personnel morale. <br />Sheriff Wheeler pointed out that the Sheriff's budget over the <br />past several years has actually had a zero percent increase and <br />that he would not be surprised to be returning a decent sum back to <br />the Commissioners at the end of the year. <br />MOTION WAS MADE by Commissioner Eggert, SECONDED by <br />Commissioner Macht, that the Board approve two <br />additional positions for the Sheriff's Office; a <br />sworn helicopter pilot and a civilian helicopter <br />mechanic, as requested by Sheriff Wheeler. <br />Under discussion, in response to queries from the Board, <br />Sheriff Wheeler stated that he did not anticipate needing any <br />monies from the general contingencies fund this year. <br />Commissioner Ginn remarked that this is a terrific program and <br />she is very much in favor. <br />Bill Koolage felt that as a conservative citizen he could <br />support the Sheriff's request. The county is rapidly expanding to <br />the west and he believed this is an important step forward <br />0 <br />DECEMBER 17, 1996 3 FaG <br />